A.scutatus or A.intermedius ? PHOTOS!

[Superciliaris]

This Shieldnose is reported to be 100% intermedius by the owner , Now apparently this was captive bred from two normal looking intermedius ? I say bollocks ! The scale count on the subcaudals suggests scutatus and it sure does look like scutatus. Intermedius females have longer tails from 27 sc upwards , this has 23/24 which is right inline for scutatus if you reference all the SA field guides , so what's the verdict here ? I did not think Intermedius could look like this ! Can they ? Can anyone confirm what this really is ?

[Mongoose]

That looks typical scutatus - and if the subcaudal counts match, then it's scutatus.

[Mongoose]

On the note - I have seen red intermedius before.

[Bushbaby]

I keep both and this one defenitly looks like scutatus.

[hunter1]

Defently looks like scutatus.

[Superciliaris]

Mongoose , When u say red intermedius , would they have black heads ? Intermedius I have seen have much lighter mottled head coloration
like a this

[Bushviper]

Why would this not be scutatus? Pictures of the parents would be interesting. I am inclined to not believe the story either. DNA would be interesting to say the least. I have not even heard of intergrades between these two sub-species.

[Mongoose]

Yes, intermedius have a brown mottled head. But never go too much by colour as it can vary tremendously.

[Superciliaris]

If anyone has pictures of a red orange intermedius , please post.

[Rob]

I can't see the confusion. Thats a scutatus and the guy who told you it came from his intermedius breeding is confused.

Ive not seen a red intermedius but even if they did occur they would not be as "typical scutatus orange" as this one. This is a typical scutatus to me.

Scale counts confirmed it too.

[marc bt]

That looks similair to the scutatus i got from you (ofcourse its not though) so i would say scutatus too.

[Cradle of life]

Having lived in the shield nosed country most of my life (orpen gate area) and having caught over 1000 odd of them i think i may be able to help you a bit with this one! The pics are definately of A. scutatus scutatus and NOT intermedius! I prefer the scutatus as they have lots more jet black in them and of course the head is also black. Intermedius on the other hand are usually dark to light brown and more speckled, however i have caught intermeduis with lots of black on them and even a few that have dark brown heads The scutatus also take mice more readily - if eithe rof them don't want to feed then a sand frog will get the mouth watering and i have yet to see a shield nosed ignore one for more than a few hours

Regards
COL

[Herpetologist]

Having lived in the shield nosed country most of my life (orpen gate area) and having caught over 1000 odd of them i think i may be able to help you a bit with this one! The pics are definately of A. scutatus scutatus and NOT intermedius! I prefer the scutatus as they have lots more jet black in them and of course the head is also black. Intermedius on the other hand are usually dark to light brown and more speckled, however i have caught intermeduis with lots of black on them and even a few that have dark brown heads The scutatus also take mice more readily - if eithe rof them don't want to feed then a sand frog will get the mouth watering and i have yet to see a shield nosed ignore one for more than a few hours

Regards
COL

Yip I agree with Cradle of life definately A. scutatus scutatus.
Thanx for sharing